January is the month of rebirth and renewal. No one takes this more seriously than Satan himself. Lucifer’s been looking for ways to escape Hell since the dawn of time and what better way than to create a mini-me of evil. That doesnt bode well planet Earth, cuz once the devil is free, the forces of evil will unite to destroy the human race for good, or so the story goes…
Filmmakers have been using the spawn of Satan as a horror trope or a theme since before Technicolor, but only a true film master can make audiences feel like they need an exorcism after watching a film. These are my picks for the top ten movies invoking the Antichrist
Hammer’s unique story mash up between Burke and Hare cases, legendary serial killer Jack the Ripper, and Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a mesmorizing gender-bender thriller.
Set in infamous Whitechapel at the height of Jack the Ripper’s murderous spree, Dr. Henry Jekyll (Ralph Bates) hell-bent on his quest for immortality, crosses moral barriers with his experiments.
At first, the young doctor pays a local mortician to acquire body parts of newly-deceased women who end up in the morgue, but when supplies run low, the doctor enlists the grisly services of two lowly gentleman, Burke and Hare, who indiscriminately kill unsuspecting victims and bring their dead bodies to Dr. Jekyll.
But Dr. Jekyll’s serum has unintended consequences, when it transforms his own body into the body of a beautiful woman, who he eventually names Mrs. Hyde (Martine Beswick). He tells his noisy neighbors, including his admirer Susan (Susan Brodrick), that the alluring woman now living with him is his recently widowed sister.
Between The Ripper and Burke and Hare, the city of Whitechapel is gripped by fear. Someone eventually finds out about deadly duo’s murderous deeds and they succomb to the town’s pitchfork. This leaves Dr. Jekyll at a disadvantage, just as he was making progress with his serum.
Sister Hyde quickly realizes her demise is tied to Dr. Jekyll’s research, so she begins stalking the dark alleys of Whitechapel herself for young female victims to murder in the name of science.
Back in 1971, the idea of a man transforming into a woman was really taboo stuff. For some moviegoers, that in of itself was the horror. Despite the obvious misogynistic horror trope of making every other woman who appears on a screen a victim, this film really pioneered LGBTQ and woman empowerment themes.
Martine Beswick really stands out here with her cutthroat and sensual performance as Sister Hyde. She’s one spooky bitch, and probably deserves a little more attention in the pantheon of horror villains. If you’re new to Hammer Horror, definitely give this wickedly smart thriller a watch.
Here’s a look at all the cool spooky prizes you could win this season.
It’s free to participate in contests, but you must follow the Contest Rules and be a follower of this page and/or @Halloweenhorrorhaiku on Instagram to qualify.
It’s Wicked Art Wedenesday and today’s artist, DefectivePudding is a self-taught illustrator and visual artist. Her works have been shown in galleries, conventions, and various art shows throughout the U.S. She draws inspiration from Halloween and vintage toys.
Enchanted Bruja is SoCal Artist who loves drawing animals and Halloween themed art.
Alex has also created several cool tarot decks, including Enchanted Bruja Oracle, 30 card oracle deck and guide, which I own and adore.
This deck is so beautiful, spooky, and inspiring. It never fails to lift my spirits and gimme a boost in the right direction. I totally recommend picking up your own set!
Happy October! Happy Halloween! Today, we kick off the first day of the Halloween Haiku Challenge. Share up to 3 of your best original or scary haiku for a chance to win cool prizes. Contest runs all month long and the grand prize is a witchy prize pack valued over $60. Go to contest page for details.
We celebrate all 31 days in October. For schedule go here. Today is spooky Sunday! Spooky Sundays are going to be like anything goes days. This weekend, I’m up in June Lake, CA, celebrating the wonderful mountain air and all things Fall.
Fall Day, Sept 30, 2023 – June Lake, CA
It’s beautiful up here and I highly recommend a visit back to nature once a year. I’m pretty sure that’s what I’ve been missing in my life in recent years.
Sept 30, 2023 – June Lake CA
So far, we humans only inhabit one planet, pumpkins only grow on planet Earth, Fall only comes around once a year, and Halloween happens every October. We need to take better care of our planet and appreciate the natural beauty of this world, otherwise, we’ll lose all this.
I’m calling on Halloween fans and Autumn lovers to do your part to care for our world, get back to nature, and have a happy Halloween season!
Lots of scary movies are set in the Fall or even on Halloween Day, but only special films with smart art direction or good production design really know how to invoke that cozy Halloween spirit. Here’s my list of great Halloween movies to watch this Fall:
All for Fall (movies for everyone):
Hocus Pocus, 1993 Halloweentown, 1998 The Addams Family, 1993 Casper, 1995 Hubie Halloween, 2020 The House with a Clock in Its Walls, 2018
Awesome Autumn (non-scary fall thrillers)
Lady in White, 1988 Practical Magic, 1998 Knives Out, 2019 Crimson Peak, 2015 The Craft, 1996 The Crow, 1994 Sleepy Hollow, 1999
Harvest Hell (for grown-ups only):
Hellions, 2015 Ginger Snaps, 2000 Scream, 1996 Tales of Halloween, 2015 The Conjuring, 2013 Halloween, 1978 The Exorcist, 1973 Trick or Treat 2007
If you don’t see your favorites here, post ’em down in the comment section!
‘Ber months may start tomorrow, but Summer isn’t over just yet. There’s still 23 days left to celebrate Summerween. I couldn’t decide which is scarier, horror films featuring spooky cabins or mysterious beaches. So, here’s a double list with the best of both worlds. From creature features to crazed killers, you can find all of these films streaming somewhere. Let me know which list you think has the scariest movies.
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